Dangerous Haven by. Luna Pierce | ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Dangerous Haven

Author: Luna Pierce

Pages: 464

Format: audiobook

Listening Hours: 15 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): M.K. Blackwood; Kayden Lukakis

Publisher: Keeperton Audiobooks

Publication Date: 9/22/26

Categories: Dark Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Billionaire Romance, Series

From Amazon bestselling author Luna Pierce comes Dangerous Haven – a standalone dark romance and book one in the Brothers of Sin series. From the first reckless kiss to a wildfire of forbidden desire, Dangerous Haven draws you into a shadowed world where survival means risking everything… especially your heart.

London Gardella is running; broken, bruised, and desperate for safety. When she arrives in New York City, she’s clinging to the last hope she has left; finding sanctuary with a stranger who wants nothing to do with her.

Archer Sin is a reclusive billionaire hacker—tattooed, brooding, and razor-sharp— he thrives in the shadows. He reluctantly agrees to keep her safe, but only if she follows his two rules:

No touching his computers.

No falling in love.

Archer’s inked fingers rarely leave his keyboards, but his eyes never stop watching London… stalking her every move, sparking a fire neither can ignore. Then comes a reckless, forbidden kiss.

Rules shatter. Walls crumble. Desire ignites.

Trust is a risk neither can afford, but survival means facing the truth: sometimes, the safest haven is the most dangerous place of all.

Content Warning: death, violence, stalking, being sold into marriage

London is running for her life and finds safety with Archer Sin, who is a hacker and very, very grumpy billionaire.

London is from a crime family but Archer’s family was more interesting because they are a crime family also, but it’s a found family. He and his siblings are from foster homes, and though each one has their own quirks, one even being a little insane, I loved their interactions. Soon London finds that she likes them too.

Though London is hiding out from her soon to be husband and healing from the injuries and trauma inflicted on her, I felt like most of this story was about the dark romance between her and Archer. And in that sense, I felt like the story moved slow and not a lot happens until the end of the book but I did like the twist. Most of the book is about London and Archer in a dislike to like relationship, he’s stalking her every move to keep her safe but the more he keeps an eye on her the more his desire grows. She’s meeting his family and she’s trying to make a life for herself and making new friends. Archer is so grumpy and anti-social but I did love how he took care of her and fell in love with London, even though he fought it so hard. London, is a survivor and wasn’t afraid of Archer or his family since she was raised by a monster. The third act break-up was a little dramatic but that’s how Archer is – so dramatic with his big feelings. I will their spice was spicy but also emotional which I appreciated.

This story is told between 2 POVs, Archer and London, and I did listen to the audiobook. For the most part I enjoyed the narration but there were times the voices just weren’t doing it for me. I think the narrator doing Archer’s voice was grumpy yes but like I said, kind of too dramatic. I liked him doing Seven’s voice for some reason but everyone else’s was just okay. So I kind of wish I read the ebook instead.

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a pretty good billionaire dark romance, mafia vibes story but I think I would have enjoyed it better reading then ebook than listening to the audiobook. Archer’s grumpy, stalker personality clashed with London, but I like how she could handle him, it made things entertaining. I do think the second half of the book was better because that’s when things started happening and I liked the plot twist. Overall, I think if you like dark romance with mafia vibes and billionaire romances, you will like this one.

Read if you like:

dark romance
mafia romance
billionaire romance
grumpy MMC

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Wretched Divine by. Adalyn Grace | ARC and ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Wretched Divine (The Wretched Divine, #1)

Author: Adalyn Grace

Format: eBook (NetGalley) and audiobook (netgalley)

Pages: 512

Listening Hours: approx. 19 hrs 44 min

Narrator (s): Kristin Atherton; Major Curda; Marisa Calin; Shane East

Publication Date: 9/21/26

Publisher: FEIWEL & Macmillan Audio

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to FEIWEL & Macmillan Audio for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Aurelie Chantelune was born to serve. Raised as a knight in a kingdom ravaged by demons, she’s spent her life honing her blade, driven by the memory of the monsters who tore her family apart and by the knowledge that she’s one of the few who can stop them.

If Aurelie can claim her first kill, she’ll inherit a legacy passed down through the Chantelune a soulbond with Yuriel, an angel whose power is vital to her kingdom’s survival. But when those she loves begin turning into the very monsters she’s sworn to destroy, Aurelie is forced to seek help from the last place she ever imagined. Desperate, she forges a second and far more dangerous bond with Severin, a demon she can hardly trust, but who claims to know how to end the war for good.

With their lives and fates entwined, Aurelie, Yuriel, and Severin must team up to hunt down a cure capable of turning demons back into humans. But the more they learn about one another and the deeper their relationships grow, the more Aurelie begins to question the war and her place in it. With both of her bonded on opposing sides, she’ll have to make a continue to stand with the angels, or risk everything by trusting a demon.

Content Warning: death, violence

+ Knights, angels and demons. The audiobook was fantastic and very entertaining. I loved all the narrators and their voices.

+~ The world-building is great and I really love how the story build and builds into the climax at the end but I did find the beginning a little slow. The pacing was a bit up and down because it starts off with a lot of action then it pulls back for when they are trying to find ingredients for the cure – which is where things slow down but we do get to know the characters more. But it finishes with twists, betrayals, and makes me want to read book two right away. There are a lot of questions in the book about who is the real villain – is it the angels or the demons? They have been locked in war for so long and everyone is tired, but revenge and hate runs deep on both sides so how can they stop killing each other?

+~ Aurelie is a knight and her life is dedicated to killing demons but when her father starts turning into a demon she does anything and everything to find a cure, even bonding with a demon. Thing is, she’s also bound to an angel, Yuriel. Some of Aurelie’s actions were questionable but I get that her motivation was to save her father after losing so many other people in her life already.

+ There are so many fascinating characters in this story like Yuriel the angel with a past, Severin – a very mischievous demon who likes to sing and make wine, Illaria – the princess who was almost Aurelie’s sister in law, and Vex the little vesper who is a big help to Aurelie and Yuriel. I was invested in everyone and some of the interactions were so funny, because Severin is such a trouble maker and Vex was funny too.

+~ This is more fantasy than romance, there are some spicy moments and even some confusing moments where Aurelie is enticed by Severin but also feels admiration for Yuriel, so I’m not sure if this will be a love triangle or a why choose or what. Or is it heading towards a throuple? I have no clue but oh the possibilities!

Final Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one, especially the second half of the book! The audiobook was wonderful and all the narrators did a great job voicing the characters. There is action, a little spice, secrets, betrayal, knights, angels and demons. I can’t wait for book two!

Read if you like:

knights
war between angels and demons

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Wisteria by. Adalyn Grace | Book Review – 3.5 stars

Foxglove by. Adalyn Grace | Book Review – 4 stars

Belladonna by. Adalyn Grace | Book Review – 5 stars

Heart of Thieves by. Jessica S. Olson | ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating:

Title: Heart of Thieves (The Devious, #2)

Author: Jessica S. Olson

Pages: 384

Format: audiobook

Listening Hours: 12 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick; Emily Ellet

Publisher: Macmillan Young Listeners

Publication Date: 9/15/26

Categories: Fantasy, Young Adult, Audiobook, Romance, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Macmillan Young Listeners for giving me a chance to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review!

A cunning thief turns the tables on the feuding brothers who betrayed her in this thrilling conclusion to the Den of Liars Duology, perfect for fans of Powerless and Lightlark.

Lola St. James is trapped in a web of lies and deceit. But that only makes her more determined to find the truth. The truth about her past. The truth about her magic. And the truth about the curse that binds her to two warring brothers who she both hates and loves.

With the Liar’s Dice Tournament now only a painful memory, Lola dons a new alter ego, Nocturne, and creates her own elaborate game designed to lure both the Liar and the Thief into her clutches, certain this is the only way to give them a chance to break their curses.

But Lola is not the only one with plans for the brothers. When a powerful figure from their past comes back to haunt them, will Lola’s love be enough to hold them all together? Or will the lies they’ve told tear them apart forever?

Content Warning: death, violence, loss of body autonomy

This is book two in The Devious serious and I really loved book one, Den of Liars, and wanted to see what happened next in the story. The narrators did such a great job, the female narrator was practically acting out all her scenes, especially a dramatic one at the ending! I loved the sound of the male narrator also but at times I couldn’t distinguish when it was Nic or Enzo speaking.

The world building really goes more into the magic in this sequel and conclusion. We learn about Laurel, Nic’s first love, and I totally didn’t like her. She’s controlling Nic, and making him out to be someone he is not. Lola is trying to help break the brothers’ curse but she has to accomplish this by keeping secrets and trust with Enzo is already so shaky. I honestly wish I had the ebook to read while reading because a lot of the magic and world-building kind of went over my head.

I did like Lola’s relationship with Enzo which was strictly platonic and more of a found family vibe. Whereas it was clear her relationship with Nic was a romance. But Lola is barely with Nic in this book because he is stuck in Laurel’s clutches. Speaking of relationships, the brothers never got along because of their past but it does end cordially and happily for them. The other loose end in the story was Lola’s dad, the crime lord who is looking for her. Things are complicated there but there is closure.

Overall, I’d say this was a solid conclusion.

Final Thoughts:

This one was filled with secrets, lies, betrayal, and some very interesting magic and world-building. There was only a little bit of romance. The narrators were fantastic, but story-wise I don’t think this held my attention like book one did. I think it was a pretty solid conclusion though.

Read if you like:

Den of Liars (first book)
magic
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Den of Liars by. Jessica S. Olson | ARC Review -4.5 stars/1 🌶️

Hawk and Sparrow by. Ayana Gray | ARC and ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 0

Title: Hawk & Sparrow

Author: Ayana Gray

Pages: 352

Format: audiobook and ebook

Listening Hours: 10 hours 20 min (approx.)

Narrator (s): Renika Williams-Blutcher

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, Macmillan Young Listeners

Publication Date: 9/1/26

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Mystery, Historical Fantasy

Sparks fly in this Gilded Age novel of mystery, magic, and romance by the author of the New York Times–bestselling Beasts of Prey.

Nineteen-year-old Vesper Evans has always resented Basalton’s high society, and the sorcery that provides them with a luxurious life unimaginable to most. Orphaned as a child and rescued by the editor of TheBasalton Globe, Vesper is now an ambitious reporter determined to keep her newspaper afloat.

While covering a lavish society gala, Vesper happens upon a shocking the murdered body of an inventor whose new machine promised to bring the benefits of sorcery to everyone. Several of the powerful magical elite may want the man dead, but the prime suspect is wealthy industrialist Maximilian Kite.

Max soon makes Vesper a tempting Find the culprit and restore his reputation in exchange for a substantial fee. Despite her distaste for Max’s world, Vesper agrees—the money would save the Globe, and the story would be the scoop of a lifetime. There’s only one In order for her to infiltrate society, the two must pose as a courting couple.

Their investigation takes them from the highest echelons of privilege to the seediest backstreets of Basalton. As they unearth the city’s secrets and scandals, Vesper finds herself in grave danger—while falling for one of the most infuriating, arrogant, handsome men she has ever met . . .

Content Warning: death, violence

+ The narrator did a good job keeping me engaged in this story.

+ Set in the Gilded Age, Vesper is an investigative reporter for The Basalton Globe and she is caught in a murder mystery. A wealthy sorcerer, Maxmilian needs his name cleared so he hires Vesper to figure out who killed the inventor that Max was working with. If Vesper helps, she gets enough money to save the newspaper that is her whole life.

+ I thought Vesper was a very determined reporter and Max, her wealthy partner in crime made them an interesting pair. She opened his eyes to the world of people struggling and she got a taste of the way the upper crust in society was living. Which is why I think their sweet, slow romance was really cute. This is young adult and stays that way, there is no steam or spice in this one which was nice.

+~ If you like murder mysteries, you will love this one. Mystery always move a little too slow for my taste but I do love this author’s work and the narrator kept me engaged! So though it was slow, I admired how invested Vesper was into her investigation – it’s what makes her a good and dedicated reporter. I also like the magic element in the story.

Final Thoughts:

The narrator did a great job keeping me engaged in this story. Vesper is a smart and determined FMC, and Max was a charming partner, and there is a sweet little young adult romance between them. If you like a murder mystery and want to try one set in the Gilded Age and has magic, you might like this one.

Read if you like:

Gilded Age – historical fantasy
young adult fantasy
murder mystery

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

I, Medusa by. Ayana Gray | Book Review – 4.5 ⭐️/1 🌶️

Beasts of Prey by. Ayana Gray | Book Review – 4 ⭐️

The Wolf Queen’s Curse by. Kaylee Archer | ARC and ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: The Wolf Queen’s Curse (Witch of the Wolves, #2)

Author: Kaylee Archer

Format: eBook (NetGalley) and audiobook (netgalley)

Pages: 384

Listening Hours: approx. 13 hrs 30 min

Publication Date: 9/1/26

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin & Macmillan Audio

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin & Macmillan Audio for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The previously quiet life of Cordelia Levine, half-werewolf, all witch, has been turned upside down. Both of her parents are now dead, and her grandmother’s vicious attack on Trevelyan, her pack’s home, has left the Albion Pack fleeing and severely reduced in number.

As they recover and strategize a path forward, Cordelia is navigating her role in the pack as well as her feelings for her new husband, the Alpha. But even as their love grows stronger, the fate of the pack lies in their hands, and they must focus on finding a way to survive.

The pack decides that the only way to defeat the cabal and forge a path back home is to rekindle old alliances. The journey proves complicated, however, as each Alpha they encounter has an agenda of his own. But Cordelia and Bishop will stop at nothing to protect their pack – and reclaim their rightful home.

Content Warning: violence

+ This is the second book in the Witch of the Wolves series and I got to listen to the audiobook which I thought was good. The narrator did a great job voicing the characters with all their different accents.

+~ Most of the story is about Bishop and Cordelia trying to strengthen the Albion pack after everything that happened at the end of book one. Unfortunately, the story moves slowly and I just wish more things were happening besides negotiations and visiting other packs. I did like the ending of the story though.

+ Bishop and Cordelia get closer to one another and partake in some spicy scenes but a lot of it is closed door, or not very detailed and quick. I do love the two of them together, they compliment each other very well. I’m wondering how Bishop will react to what happens at the end of this book though.

Final Thoughts:

This one felt like filler plus it was way slower than book one. So for me, it was a little more difficult being invested in all the details about strengthening the Albion pack. I do like Bishop and Cordelia though and wonder what will happen in book three.

Read if you like:

werewolves, witches

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Witch of the Wolves by. Kaylee Archer | ARC Review – 3.5 stars/2 🌶️

Immortal Rose by. Alexandra Bracken | ARC and ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice Rating: 🌶️.5

Title: Immortal Rose (#1)

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Format: eBook (Avon) and audiobook (Avon)

Pages: 496

Listening Hours: approx. 20 hrs

Publication Date: 8/18/26

Publisher: Avon

Categories: Fantasy, Romance, Series, Fae

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Avon for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Members of the ancient House Rosebourne have a strange gift born of a fairy ancestor: the ability to infuse fragrance with magic capable of manipulating mind, body, and emotion.

When a shocking murder leaves the kingdom of Albion vulnerable to a coup, royal spymaster Hugh Thornton seeks the one person who can help: Viola Lockwood, the last living Rosebourne and secret heir to a fraught legacy.

Livid at the silver-eyed aristocrat who had her thrown in jail to force her compliance, Viola nevertheless comes to an agreement with him. In exchange for crafting Immortal Rose, the singular perfume capable of saving Albion, illegitimate Viola can seize the life—and fortune—that should have been hers.

As Hugh and Viola race to find the perfume’s lost fairy ingredient, hidden deep in Albion’s dark underbelly, neither can deny the scorching attraction building between them—especially as the attempts on Viola’s life grow increasingly brazen.

But a terrible truth lurks in the heart notes of their kingdom—and while every bargain has a cost, Immortal Rose may demand more than Hugh and Viola can ever pay.

Content Warning: death, violence, gore

+ The narrators for the alc were fantastic! They really brought the story to life with their voices and I loved the accents they used for this regency romance, fantasy, mystery story. I did listen to the alc but also read the ebook when I couldn’t listen.

+ It feels like the story is set in an alternate regency London, but with magic and people with rare Fae bloodlines like Viola Lockwood. Her bloodline gives her the talent of enhanced smelling capabilities. Magic is sold in perfume and her bloodline is one of those can make the perfume. But Viola has had a rough upbringing and she finds herself in a bad situation, to stay in prison or to work for Lord Foxcourt (Hugh) to produce the perfume that has been keeping the king alive. The world building and magic was really interesting.

+~ I did find parts of this story to be slow going, because there is a mystery taking place and lots of parts to the puzzle. Who poisoned the king? Plus there is a race against time to save him. Viola and Hugh also have to avoid being killed in the process since someone is out there trying to stop their progress. So the pacing was up and down through but there is so much more action, twists and turns at the end which was fun.

+~ This is a very slow burn, to the point I was begging for something to happen with Viola and Hugh. Now the payoff is fun in the end, but still, it’s steamy not spicy. The romance though is something to be invested in especially when the yearning becomes unbearable for the both of them. Just seeing Hugh trying to keep it together around Viola was entertaining, but his confessions were everything!

+ I adored the characters, especially Hugh’s interesting staff and the found family trope.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this one despite the pacing that was slow at times. I loved the found family trope. I also adored Viola and Hugh and seeing them go from enemies to lovers, their yearning was palpable, I just wish they could cave into their desires! The twist and turns at the end were fun, there was even some unexpected gore. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Read if you like:

marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers
magic
mystery
found family

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Silver in the Bone by. Alexandra Bracken | ARC Review – 3.5 stars

The Mirror of Beasts by. Alexandra Bracken | ARC Review – 4 stars

Lore by. Alexandra Bracken | Book Review – 4 stars

Ravenous by. Kresley Cole | ARC and ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Revenous (Immortals Untold, #1)

Author: Kresley Cole

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 352

Listening Hours: 12 hours 56 min

Narrator: Robert Petkoff

Publication Date: 7/28/26

Publisher: Bloom Books

Categories: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance, Series

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Bloom Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Beyond the mortal world lies the Skein, a realm of mythic beauty and savage desire ruled by creatures of legend. Here, vampires, witches, demons, and wolves wage war―and hunt their pleasures just as fiercely.

Now, the Accession has begun, an ancient cycle of chaos and destiny that reignites old hostilities and forges fated bonds too hot to resist.

A witch queen on the rise defies the brutal wolf king who stands in her way. But when fate twists their battlefield into a bed of temptation, sworn enemies become something far more perilous. Lovers.

A vampire princess trades her crown for freedom, only to be bound to a scarred Berserker, a man whose possessive touch both terrifies and tempts her.

An incubus spy and a cunning vampiress strike a dangerous bargain for survival, and profit, but lust becomes the one gamble neither expected.

And when a wolf and an enchantress from opposing clans dare to make peace, their forbidden attraction could doom the Skein…or spark a love that defies the gods.

Brimming with intrigue, bloody mayhem, and scorching heat, Ravenous plunges readers into the world of Immortals Untold―where magic kills, surrender triumphs, and immortal hungers can never be sated…

Content Warning: violence, death, someone wanting to commit incest

This author has been around a long time and she used to write paranormal romance – the one series I was hooked on was The Arcana Chronicles though I have yet to read the last book. So I was going into this story with hope the series would be like that one…but here are my thoughts.

World Building: This world has everything: berserkers, witches, valkyries, vampires, shifters, demons…I don’t remember if the fae appeared in the book but they were mentioned. The Accession has started which means everyone is at one another’s throats, or being bound to one another. I think the Skein – this world, is fascinating but things moved on too quickly because there are so many POVs that I felt like I didn’t get a good feel of each place.

Characters: There are 15 POVs. Yes…15…and I almost DNF’d this book because of it but it is in third person so it helped a little. I actually couldn’t listen to the audiobook because of this. There is one narrator and he had to do all 15 and I just wasn’t feeling it. I didn’t DNF but I skimmed to the characters that I was interested in, which were Lia and Arctos – a vampire and a berserker which made for such a strange combination but they respected one another’s space and was the only one not doing anything sexual. Inkletter (I could not get over his name, he went by Ink thank goodness) and Nadje (Incubus and vampire) had a spicy start that actually made me laugh out loud because of how his body part was described. Thane and Ditch are a wild pair (werewolf and witch)…anyway there are too many POVs so connecting with some characters was difficult. Also Lia’s brother is awful, he is trying to mate with her, I was wondering if we were in the Game of Thrones! I almost couldn’t read this book because of it but I pushed on to see if there was someone who would finish him! 😅

Romance: With such a large cast, there was lots of spice in this one, lots of insta-lust situations. I think that’s why I gravitated towards Lia and Arctos who are just trying to get past being enemies to being friends since they were forced to marry. I’d like to see how their relationship grows. The one couple that did love each other was already married, Torben and Dagny – I did love them! Lowell and Meera’s story though infuriated me by the end. Thane and Ditch are the wild ones, wild for one another which was amusing with how they tease one another.

Story: This was chaotic. Did I almost DNF? Yes. But did I also skim and push through? Yes! I’ve only read one series from this author and yes it also had a big cast, but for some reason that felt more streamlined than this was. Also, I don’t remember the writing being like this where it made me cringe a lot – just some of the sexual situations and descriptions made me cackle out loud. Now did I find a spot in this chaotic story that kind of drew me in? Yes, with Lia and Arctos story because they were the only ones not in a sexual haze. With them I could focus on world building and the politics. So even in the chaos, I was slightly entertained, I just had to find the characters that I connected to.

Final Thoughts:

This wasn’t quite what I expected and I couldn’t finish the book as an audiobook because there were so many POVs to follow, so having the ebook helped a lot. I think there are some good concepts in this book, especially with the political intrigue happening with each of the species and having them bond outside of their species makes things even more complicated but also interesting. I just wish there wasn’t so much going and POVs to follow. Also some of the writing and language just didn’t work for me. This is one of the series where I’m not sure if I will pick up the next book, it will probably depend on my mood and reviews from other readers. If you like all of this author’s body of work, I think you will like this because you are used to her writing. It was just different from what I read from her so for me it was a mess, but a sometimes entertaining mess.

Read if you like:

multiple POVs
a world with different species
insta-lust romances

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Forsaking Midnight by. Emily McIntire | ALC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️

Title: Forsaking Midnight (Defying the Stars, #2)

Author: Emily McIntire

Pages: 528

Format: audiobook

Listening Hours: 15 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): Andi Arnt, Connor Crais

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Publication Date: 7/14/26

Categories: Romance, Series, Romantasy, Why Choose, Fantasy

From the Queen of the Never After retellings comes a modern-day Lancelot & Guinevere filled with serious yearning, hate-to-love you vibes and a happily ever after

Some sins are worth the fall . . .

Lance Calloway fights when they tell him to fight. Bleeds when they tell him to bleed. Breaks when they tell him to break.

Six years in an unsanctioned cage, and the one line he’s never crossed? Loyalty to his best friend, no matter the cost.

Then he’s asked to protect her.

Genevieve DeGrance didn’t ask for any of this.

She came to Rosebrook Falls to be with the mayor’s son. But nothing in this town is what it seems. Especially not the dangerous fighter who watches her every move like a threat.

She hates him.
He can’t stand her.
And yet . . .

The more time Lance spends guarding Genevieve, the harder it becomes to remember she belongs to someone else.

And the more she uncovers about Rosebrook Falls, the more she realizes the only honest person in her life is the one man she’s forbidden to want.

In a town built on secrets and lies, falling for each other could destroy them both.

But staying away might be the one fight Lance can’t win.

💫 Why you will love this book 💫
💜 forbidden love
🌙 enemies to lovers
💜 best friend’s girl
🌙 morally grey hero
💜 forced proximity
🌙 yearning that ruins lives
💜 slow burn with SPICE
🌙 mafia style romance

Content Warning: death, violence

+ This is book two in the Defying the Stars series. Book one was a Romeo and Juliet retelling and now book two is a Lancelot and Guinevere retelling. I kind of love these different retellings! And Lance and Genevieve did not disappoint, even though there is cheating – but hey it tracks with the love triangle between Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere. So if you don’t like cheating, then this might not be for you.

+ I like Lance’s story. He is best-friends with Art, who is Genevieve’s boyfriend. But they have a history, they are brothers at heart, but something happens – Art does something, and Lance helps him out. But the debt lasts too long and in the process, Lance loses himself. He is used, abused, has trauma and all because he wanted to help his best-friend out. Lance is a good guy. Genevieve, has a story too, but I think Lance’s character was stronger. I actually love all the other characters like Lance’s siblings and Romeo’s too and can’t wait to see what their stories will be.

+ I didn’t mind the cheating because Art was not a good friend to Lance, or a good boyfriend to Genevieve. True, they still shouldn’t have gone behind his back, but I didn’t like Art, so I didn’t mind. 😅 I loved Lance and Genevieve together. Their relationship is beautiful and spicy – there are a few spicy scenes between them but I still gave it only 2 chili peppers because I didn’t think there was anything too freaky between them, but some might rate it a 3 because of how many scenes there are, if that makes sense.

~ For the most part I loved the dual narration for this audiobook but I did love Lance’s voice more than Genevieve’s.

Final Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this modern retelling of Lancelot and Guinevere – there are secrets, betrayal, family drama, a gossip social media account keeping tabs on people, and a love triangle. The narrators did a great job, especially the voice for Lance! I’m really enjoying these loose retellings of different romance classics, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Read if you like:

modern Lancelot and Guinevere retelling
cheating trope; best-friend’s girlfriend

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

Burning Daylight by. Emily McIntire | Book Review – 3.5 stars/ 2 🌶️

Queen of the Night Sky by. Amalie Howard | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: Queen of the Night Sky (Starkeeper, #2)

Author: Amalie Howard

Pages: 480

Listening Hours: 15 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): Ramiz Monsef; Anais Inara Chase

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Publication Date: 3/16/26

Categories: Romance, Series, Romantasy, Why Choose, Fantasy

The sequel to The Starlight Heir and the epic conclusion to the romantasy duology that Rebecca Yarros calls, “a breathtaking, sexy romantasy full of twists and adventure.”

The Kingdom of Oryndhr has been saved by the will of the Royal Stars. But King Roshan, once Sura’s best friend and chosen love, has changed. She can sense corruption growing in him, and her own magic is being twisted by his command to dangerous ends. As dreams of her strange shadow guardian return in force, she is left unsure of her path—and of her heart.

When an attempt on her life leads to her rescue on the back of an azdaha, the dragon-like creature she once thought a myth, Sura truly finds herself in uncharted territory—in a land far beyond Oryndhyr’s borders. Everlea is full of magic, ruled by the deadly and enigmatic Night King, Darrius. And to Sura’s shock, Darrius is none other than the man in her dreams…and possibly her soul fated mate.

As a prophecy unfolds, the old gods awaken, and a war between kingdoms looms, Sura has no she must fully embrace her destiny as Starkeeper and the entirety of her power before it’s too late. But all power comes at a cost…and darkness has a way of slithering into the smallest spaces.

Content Warning: death, violence

+ I read The Starlight Heir (book one) in the beginning of last year so I’m not going to lie, I didn’t remember the characters much. I had to read my review of book one to jog my memory but I didn’t feel hampered by now remembering everyone and everything that happened. This story takes place right after the events of book one and I did have some questions about a mysterious character, but he definitely shows up in this conclusion.

+ Sura is powerful now that she is by Roshan’s side as his intended bride, but as he is trying to get the business of ruling his kingdom under control – he in turn is starting to control Sura. There is an amnesia trope in this story which I didn’t mind.

+ There were hints of a possible love triangle in book one, but it comes to fruition in this book. I will say though, the author did let the relationship build with the mystery man, Darrius, until she brought back Roshan in to make it a Why Choose romance. Darrius is the Night King, he is a shadow daddy and he has a beast inside him. And honestly, with the way Sura is, I felt like it fit her to be in a throuple with both men. She loves both of them, and they love her, and I like how they were just open to it instead of competing for her. There is some hot spice, but surprisingly it’s mostly at the end of the story.

+ I did enjoy the politics between the different kingdoms. There are secrets, and a betrayal I wasn’t expecting at all. I thought getting to know Everlea and the Night King was very interesting. I also like the world building and how the world opened up outside of Oryndhr.

+~ The narrator for the female voices did a beautiful job. But the male narrator I had some issues with in that he sounded so dramatic that I kept giggling when his voice came on! I think he did a pretty good job as Roshan, but when he was Darrius – oh my…it was too much, too cartoonish? I couldn’t stop laughing which made it worse during the spicy scenes! 😅

Final Thoughts:

I thought this was a good conclusion to the duology. There was action, the world opened up, secrets, betrayals, romance and some very spicy scenes. The narrators for the most part did a great job – I just wish the male voice for Darrius wasn’t so exaggerated, but I still enjoyed the story.

Read if you like:

Why Choose spicy romance
world-building
betrayal

Book Links:

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Other Books I’ve Read From This Author:

The Starlight Heir by. Amalie Howard | ARC Review – 3.5 stars

Book Review | The Beast of Beswick – 4.5 stars

The Raven at the Ash Door by. K.A. Linde | Audiobook Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Title: The Raven at the Ash Door (The Oak and the Holly Cycle, #3)

Author: K.A. Linde

Pages: 586

Listening Hours: 16 hours (approx.)

Narrator (s): Stephanie Németh Parker

Format: audiobook (Libby)

Publication Date: 6/16/26

Categories: Romance, Urban Fantasy, Series, Romantasy

Can love survive an unbreakable curse?

Kierse McKenna’s magic is bound to a man she hates―one who has spent lifetimes fighting the man she loves.

To end this binding, Graves―her winter god, her monster―will stop at nothing. He discovers that the only hope of freeing Kierse is to locate a stone relic of legend, rumored to lift any curse.

The only problem? The stone has been missing for a century.

And the Oak King is on their trail.

Now Kierse is trapped at the heart of a centuries-long battle while the rest of the world comes unraveled. The Fae Killer is hunting. The peace with monsters is fracturing. And as the very rules of their myth start to shift, escaping the Oak King’s hold may demand more than stolen artifacts and clever heists.

For Kierse and Graves, it may mean risking the only thing they have left to lose.

Content Warning: death, violence

+ This is book 3 in the series and in my review of book 2 I said I was not going to continue this series. Why did I? Well I needed an audiobook to listen to while completing a 1000 piece puzzle 😅 but honestly…I was genuinely surprised at how much more I liked this book than the first 2. And I think it’s because the story has come together now – but I wish it didn’t take 3 books to make that happen. I did hear this is a 5 book series.

+ Kierse is working with Graves to find the stone that can help break the soul mate bond with Lorcan. While on the search for this stone though there is another subplot in connection with Fae being killed and now sorcerers too? So the fun part about this story is the urban fantasy setting plus the found family that Graves and Kierse has reluctant put together. The heists in the book really shows off everyone’s skills. Kierse is excelling in being a thief as usual. Graves, the mastermind of the group, was always researching and plotting. Lorcan, Kierse’s soul mate who refuses to leave her, was there for some of the action too just to keep her safe.

+ There is a lot of different magic use which was interesting and then the whole thing about the trees. I’m amazed I kept interested in the audiobook with so much going on. Usually I would lose interest, but I did think the magic system was fascinating.

+ The narrator did such a great job with this large cast. She had all kinds of accents too – really fantastic job. If I read this as an ebook I might have found it slow but she really kept me invested in these characters.

+~ I did like Kierse and Graves together and seeing their relationship move forward. They get pretty spicy also. But at the 80% mark of the story, things started to feel like the book was getting a bit too long. The romance is a never ending love triangle where Kierse explicitly chooses and loves Graves, but can’t deny the bond with Lorcan too. So that was driving me a little bit crazy – almost to the point of annoyed by the end of this book because things will just be swinging the other way again in book 4 and I don’t know if I have the patience for it. I feel like Graves is her end game, so why prolong it? I will say the series name The Holly and Oak Cycle, makes so much since because that’s what this series feels like especially in terms of the romance – it’s a cycle! One that I kind of want stopped. 😅

~ Also near the ending of this book, I was getting annoyed with Kierse. Yes she’s a badass thief, great, but there are times she just doesn’t listen. And that leads to some disastrous consequences at the end.

Final Thoughts:

Surprisingly, I enjoyed this one more than book one and two. I’m not sure if I will continue the series or just wait until the last 2 books are out. I like the urban fantasy setting and the found family, but the romance is a little frustrating.

Read if you like: